So many of us deal with “special needs” issues at some point or another. Maybe we have them ourselves, or one of our children does. Sometimes a family member or close friend has complicated life issues that they didn’t choose, but must deal with nonetheless. Being able to successfully cope with these additional challenges has a lot to do with our attitude about our lot in life.

There was a time of about a year and a half when my son, Hunter, was a special needs child. He had a first surgery that went wrong, leaving him fragile and in excruciating pain for six months. Then he had a repair surgery that required him to be in a halo for three months, and on “safety mode” for a year or two after that.

Posted in compassion, family, Fellowship Fridays, helping others, love, Overcoming Challenges 16 Comments »

Lao Tzu, the “Old Master” philosopher of ancient China, is generally regarded as the author of the Tao Te Ching. The book has countless observations and pearls of wisdom that apply to us all. At first glance it may seem complicated, or like there is just too much to learn. But Lao Tzu himself sums it up like this:

“I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures.”

I’m no master philosopher, and not quite ancient (yet), but I’m going to have to agree with his assessment. I believe if you truly practice these three, everything else will fall into place, and you will find contentment, inner peace, and happiness.

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I am starting to think the Self Help / Personal Development industry ought to be done away with, since it is keeping us from truly being happy.

Have you ever heard of the Prisoner’s Dilemma? It is a situation in which two prisoners are kept isolated from each other during interrogations. The strategic reason for this is they are far more likely to confess, or turn on each other, than they would be if they were together.

Keeping prisoners isolated messes with their mind. Guilt, paranoia, fear, conscience, and whatever the cop is saying, make the prisoner panic. It gives the cops an unfair advantage. If the prisoners were together, each would know the other hasn’t cracked or pinned anything on him. If they could stick together, they might be set free.

Posted in choices, compassion, happiness, helping others, inner peace, love, Overcoming Challenges 2 Comments »